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BRITAIN UNDER LOCKDOWN FROM RENEW NORMAL: THE PEOPLE’S COMMISSION ON LIFE AFTER COVID-19 AUGUST 2020
Open Access. Some rights reserved.
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CONTENTS
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Anyone can download, save, perform or distribute
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terms of the Demos licence found at the back of
this publication. Its main conditions are: INTRODUCTION PAGE 4
• Demos and the author(s) are credited
THE COMMISSION PAGE 8
• This summary and the address www.demos.co.uk
are displayed
FINDINGS PAGE 9
• The text is not altered and is used in full
• The work is not resold
EMPLOYMENT PAGE 11
• A copy of the work or link to its use online is sent EDUCATION PAGE 18
to Demos.
You are welcome to ask for permission to use this HOUSEHOLDS, FAMILIES AND FRIENDSHIPS PAGE 24
work for purposes other than those covered by the
licence. Demos gratefully acknowledges the work COMMUNITIES PAGE 28
of Creative Commons in inspiring our approach to
copyright. To find out more go to
FINANCES PAGE 34
www.creativecommons.org
HEALTH AND SOCIAL CARE PAGE 39
DEMOCRACY AND CRIMINAL JUSTICE PAGE 44
Report authors:
TECHNOLOGY AND ONLINE LIFE PAGE 49
Dr Heather Rolfe
Rose Lasko-Skinner TRANSPORT AND THE ENVIRONMENT PAGE 55
Asli Atay
Ellen Judson PAGE 61
RACE AND EQUALITY
Polly Mackenzie
Joe Oakes
Claudia Wood MOVING FORWARD TOGETHER PAGE 63
Sacha Hilhorst
Heather Williams-Taplin
Published by Demos August 2020.
© Demos. Some rights reserved.
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2 3in the UK to put forward their ideas for how Britain This report documents and analyses the main
should change both as we emerge from this crisis, changes we have seen. But just a few quotes will
and move beyond it. There is a welcome, and make it clear that there is no single, or simple, way
INTRODUCTION
growing movement making that case that we should to understand what we just lived through. Even these
“build back better.” We agree. But first we need to 30 pages are just a snapshot of millions of divergent
empower people across the country to articulate experiences.
what better means to them. This report is the first
staging post in a six month conversation to answer “I’ve loved the commute - 3 steps to the spare
that question and develop a plan for how to bring room”
citizens’ ambitions for change into practical reality. “I have hated working over the internet”
This report brings together stories and statistics “I have felt so lonely and down.”
about the change we’ve lived through in the last few
months. Coupled with our microsite at “I have spent a lot of quality time with my family
The outbreak of Covid-19 in www.renewnormal.co.uk, we aim to help people and really valued it.”
the UK has touched every and policy makers alike reflect on what we’ve been
through and what that might mean for the future. “I feel so much anger towards the government
aspect of our lives. From our that they sacrificed the elderly to save others.”
sleep to our social lives, from Our analysis includes contributions from nearly
12,000 members of the public who have already “The support from the community has been
our jobs to our journeys, shared their ideas and experiences with us. We feel wonderful and my local council has been
outstanding in their response.”
from our finances to our immensely privileged to have been trusted with such
detail, such honesty, and in many cases such raw
friendships. It has already emotion. Those who have participated have already
When lockdown started, many people suggested
that this would be a great leveller in society, as we
cost tens of thousands of shaped our understanding and analysis about how to were all forced to live under the same strict set of
take this project forward, and we hope both they and
lives, and caused suffering, thousands more will continue to take part over the
rules. Our research suggests that has not happened.
Communities and neighbourhoods have, in many
loneliness, bereavement, and coming months. cases, pulled together to coordinate relief efforts,
turmoil to millions of us. We need them to. Because it is clear that we have which people were proud to see or be part of. Most
the fight of our lives on our hands, if we want to pull people did feel a sense of common purpose around
Covid-19 hasn’t just changed individuals’ lives. the “Clap for Carers” initiative. But beyond this, the
this country up to meet the aspirations its citizens
It’s changed the economic, political and social evidence suggests there is a real sense of dislocation
have for it.
landscape in which we live them. It has radically between people whose experiences have been so
accelerated our transition to working, shopping, THE CHALLENGE AHEAD different. Isolating as a family in a small flat is after all
learning and interacting online. It has challenged very different to isolating in a large house.
assumptions about who matters in a society and Our economy has taken a hit three times the size
how we relate to one another. It has led to an of the global financial crisis. Our public finances There is intense anger and resentment - not just
extraordinary outbreak of compassion, kindness, have picked up some of the slack, but as economic about perceived mistakes by government - but also
and mutual support. It has exposed fault lines in interventions like the furlough scheme are unwound, to those who didn’t play by the lockdown rules.
our system of social protection, and highlighted the things could get substantially worse. Ambitious but Those who lost loved ones, not surprisingly, tend to
critical risks associated with inequality. expensive plans for levelling up growth between feel this most deeply. People who were not eligible
the regions of the UK, decarbonising our economy, for government support through furlough or self-
Nine months since the disease was identified, five or improving funding for our health and social care employment grants feel incredibly angry, and in
months since the first person died in the UK after systems look more important, but less affordable, many cases resentful towards those who did get
contracting it, we don’t know when or if we will get than ever. support and were able to live relatively comfortably
back to the lives we used to live. We wait and hope without working.
for a vaccine. Some of us cautiously try to navigate The pandemic is not fully under control within the
our half-open economy, while others continue to UK, let alone around the world. Efforts to return the MOVING FORWARD TOGETHER
shield themselves at home. We hope we are near the economy to health - let alone build a new economic
or social settlement - will not succeed unless and To move forward, as a society, we need to find a
end of this story, but we know this could be just the
until the health crisis is more fully suppressed. space for people to talk about their experiences and
beginning.
try to build empathy with others. We all need to take
But whatever happens, it is clear this will be a turning And our research reveals a third challenge we face the time to listen, and process, the stories of other
point in our history. Months of lockdown acted as a as we seek to build back better: political and social people during this time. Only that process of sharing
vast, enforced social experiment that has changed divisions that have been, in many cases, reinforced and listening can bring healing after a national
what we want for ourselves, for our economy, and for by the turmoil of the last few months. It has been trauma of this kind. Renew Normal is designed to be
our country. an intense, overwhelming and deeply emotional part of that process. We encourage everyone to take
time for us all. But that intensity is almost the only the time to share their story, and to read through the
ABOUT RENEW NORMAL thing that holds together the extraordinary range of stories of others.
experiences and responses that people have lived
Renew Normal was established to enable people Go to our website and browse through thousands
through over the last five months.
4 5of answers to the question: what did you learn or to act in accordance with those values.” and events to focus on the top opportunities for
change your mind about during the pandemic? change identified by the public. This programme will
And then share your own perspective. All voices are “The speed with which the government’s call for run from now until to the end of October.
welcome. volunteers was filled to overflowing shows how
people want to be part of a group and want to In addition, we will be working with colleagues at
We are encouraging everyone who takes part to look help others. We must build on this.“ CASM, Demos’ technology hub, to identify the
for the positives, the lessons and the opportunities lessons learned from this intense period of living
from this crisis. To do so is not an attempt to erase “Super appreciative of how Mother Nature has online. These insights will feed into CASM’s ongoing
the reality that, for many people, these have been had a break and how we must learn lessons from work, The Good Web Project, to develop and
the worst months of their lives. It is, instead, an this.” advocate for a better internet.
attempt to find solace in our grief. And yet, we We have analysed contributions to the project thus
recognise that it may be easier for those who have far, and identified three main areas where people
not been too adversely affected to do so.
TIMELINE
would like to see change, as we move on from
For example: those who have kept their income Covid-19. We will structure the coming months of
while working from home can talk about seeing this conversation around these themes:
the value of a slower life. Those who have had no • Our daily lives: family, wellbeing, communities
money coming in may have had to focus so intensely and the local environment
on providing for themselves and their family that it
hasn’t felt like a slower life. • Our working lives: commuting, urban space,
pay inequality, and our industrial strategy
Nevertheless, we think it is worth capturing all the
insights about what has brought people wellbeing • The social contract: our health and care This report published
during these difficult times. Contributors who tell us systems, health inequality, and the welfare safety
how much they valued their garden remind us that net
we should ensure all families have access to green
space. It is important, too, to note that many of To decide exactly where people believe the greatest
opportunities for change lie, and how we can build Survey confirming issues where there is
those contributors acknowledge how lucky they have
consensus for them, we are launching alongside potential to change Britain for the better
been.
this report a new survey to gather opinion. We will
“I am lucky to have good broadband.” conduct a nationally representative poll of 10,000
people, and we will separately publish the survey
“We are lucky to have a lot of devices.” on our website, asking the same questions as the
poll, so that they are open to everyone who wants to September - November:
“I am lucky to have a garden.”
express their views. 12 week programme putting a series of
“We have been extremely lucky to both be able issues in the spotlight, with online events and
This survey, which explores a range of issues raised
to work from home.” digital democracy tools
by participants in our first study, can be found on our
The unique nature of this crisis, for which no website.
individual could be expected to have prepared, may
have shifted people’s perceptions of how risk should In particular, we are looking for issues on which there
be shared in society, and that may in turn lead to a is momentum for change, instead of going back to
the way things were. But that momentum must have November:
change in the kind of welfare safety net we want. Results published
This acknowledgement of luck when it comes to emerged from this crisis in some way. For example:
personal economic circumstances may be the seed Theatres have been badly affected by this crisis: but
of growing social solidarity. in our analysis thus far, no-one is arguing the industry
SHAPING THE FUTURE should change dramatically. Public ambition is to get
it back to ‘normal’. So we won’t look at that sector. November:
The goal of Renew Normal is to identify lessons and Open discussions on policy choices and
opportunities for the future from this period. Moving Tax avoidance is an area where, in other Demos
work, we have shown the public would like to see
priorities
into the next phase of the conversation, we need to
narrow our focus on those issues where people are change in government policy. But that has not been
starting to identify those opportunities. provoked by this crisis. So we won’t look at tax
avoidance.
Our analysis suggests that, while many people are
exhausted, angry, or both, there are a whole range of Social care has been badly affected by this crisis, and December:
issues on which they are extremely ambitious for the our research suggests people want to see a better, Final report published
country’s future. new settlement rather than returning to the old
system. Therefore we will look in depth at social care.
“This crisis is also an opportunity to hit the reset
button. To really think about what matters, and Once the results of that survey are in, we will
announce a rolling programme of online consultation
6 7THE COMMISSION FINDINGS
The Commission brings together leading figures from The following pages
sectors across society to steer the project, ensure it summarise the results of the
reaches those whose voices need to be heard and those first phase of Renew Normal.
who need to hear them. The Commissioners appointed This phase was designed to track and document the
are: vast range of changes that happened in the UK over
the months of Covid-19 lockdown from March 2020.
These included policy and legal changes from central
MARTIN LEWIS OBE government, disruption to business practice, and
FOUNDER, MONEYSAVINGEXPERT.COM AND THE MONEY & MENTAL HEALTH adjustments to individuals’ daily lives. As part of this
POLICY INSTITUTE first phase, we invited members of the public to tell
us about their experiences. We did this through an
RT HON NICKY MORGAN - BARONESS MORGAN OF COTES open access survey which allowed anyone to tell us
FORMER SECRETARY OF STATE FOR EDUCATION, AND FOR DIGITAL, CULTURE, whatever they wanted.
MEDIA AND SPORT
People were keen to take part and we had a total
ANDREA SUTCLIFFE of 11,577 between 29 May to 30 June. As an open
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OF THE NURSING AND MIDWIFERY COUNCIL survey, it is not nationally representative, nor does
PROFESSOR DONNA HALL CBE it seek to be.1 But it captures the experiences,
FORMER CHIEF EXECUTIVE OF WIGAN COUNCIL AND CHAIR OF THE NEW emotions and stories of a large number of people
LOCAL GOVERNMENT NETWORK across the UK at a unique point in history. The
national and collective experience of Covid-19 is
HETAN SHAH vividly conveyed by our respondents, from their own
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OF THE BRITISH ACADEMY homes and in their own words.
JOSH HARDIE The findings and insights of our research are
DEPUTY DIRECTOR-GENERAL, CONFEDERATION OF BRITISH INDUSTRY grouped into themes:
MIKE CLANCY EMPLOYMENT
GENERAL SECRETARY OF THE PROSPECT TRADE UNION
Government measures to protect those who have
NDIDI OKEZIE been unable to work - in particular the introduction
CHIEF EXECUTIVE, UK YOUTH of the furlough scheme - have been unprecedented
and welcomed. But lockdown has left many people
NICK TIMOTHY uncertain about their jobs. Some have adapted
AUTHOR AND FORMER ADVISER TO THE PRIME MINISTER to working at home; while for others - particularly
STEWART WOOD - LORD WOOD OF ANFIELD parents - it has been a period of stress and
FORMER SENIOR ADVISER TO THE LEADER OF THE OPPOSITION conflicting demands.
VIDHYA ALAKESON EDUCATION
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OF POWER TO CHANGE Lockdown measures facilitated a shift towards
ANNA SEVERWRIGHT home-learning for the vast majority of pupils This,
CO-CHAIR OF THE COALITION FOR COLLABORATIVE CARE combined with the cancellation of exams, has raised
ALICE BENTINCK MBE
CO-FOUNDER AND GENERAL PARTNER AT ENTREPRENEUR FIRST 1 A demographic breakdown of the respondents can be
found in the tables accompanying this report.
8 9EMPLOYMENT
concerns about deepening educational inequality. TECHNOLOGY AND ONLINE LIFE
Some parents have enjoyed homeschooling, while
others have struggled with time and resources. Many During lockdown, internet usage increased
respondents expressed concern about the impact of substantially as people endeavoured to continue to
lockdown on children’s progress. work, as well as stay in touch with friends and family.
People are grateful for the internet and broadband,
HOUSEHOLDS, FAMILIES AND FRIENDSHIPS though concerned at its patchy coverage and speed,
particularly in rural areas. Reliance on technology
Lockdown threw some people into closer contact has also led many to be more concerned than in the
with their own household, which was valued by past about online safety.
some, and at best tolerated by others. Some found
the time to take up hobbies, and eat more healthily.
Loneliness was a common thread in many responses.
TRANSPORT AND ENVIRONMENT Covid-19 and its life-saving
Many missed their family and friends and worried Tight restrictions on movements outside the home lock down has had some of
that elderly relatives were unhappy and lonely. meant that the roads were quieter, during lockdown
and carbon emissions dropped significantly in a
the most severe impacts on
COMMUNITY short space of time. Many people welcomed the our labour market that most
In the face of a global threat, people turned to
change and became more interested in cycling and
electric vehicles. People also felt that the short term
of us have ever seen.
their local communities for solace. People have environmental improvements were proof that change The social distancing measures taken to prevent as
preferred local shops and shorter journeys. Many is possible where it is seen as necessary. much social interaction as possible - and ultimately
have become part of a community group, including
prevent the spread of the virus - necessitated a legal
through whatsapp. However, others have felt that RACE AND EQUALITY
obligation for people to work from home. For the
their community did not pull together and reported
Respondents, particularly from BAME groups, first time in history, it was an ”offence in England to
tensions around keeping to lockdown rules.
recognised that Covid-19 has impacted leave home for work unless it was not reasonably
FINANCES disproportionately on ethnic minorities who have possible for that work to be done at home”. As of
also played an important role as key workers. Many June 1st, it is no longer an offence, but employees
Lockdown was driven by the need to protect expressed the hope that this realisation will lead to who can are still encouraged to work from home.2
public health, but it had a detrimental effect on greater appreciation of the contribution of BAME
the economy and public finances. People reported These changes have required a distinction between
people to the UK’s economy and society. Some
highly variable experiences of lockdown on their key workers and non-key-workers. Key workers are,
respondents had given more thought to the issue
personal finances. While lockdown led to unrivalled technically, people whose work is critical to the
of racism under lockdown, encouraged by the Black
economic turmoil for some and concerns for the coronavirus response, such as doctors, nurses, bus
Lives Matter protests.
future, others reported little change in their income drivers and waste disposal workers. This group has
but a fall in expenditure. had different guidance and legal rights, enabling
them to stay overnight in accommodation (such as
HEALTH AND SOCIAL CARE hotels), take their children to school and are likely to
be unable to work from home. Non-essential workers
Following the outbreak of the pandemic, all NHS have been expected to work from home, unless it is
resources were swiftly redirected to managing the not reasonably possible.
healthcare emergency, Public support for the NHS
and the dedication of health and social care workers Entire sectors have been forced to close, such as
is high. At the same time, the focus on Covid-19 non-essential shops (e.g. hairdressers, electrical
and protecting the NHS has resulted in cancelled goods shops, clothes shops) hospitality (e.g.
appointments, worrying backlogs and a sense of pubs and restaurants), and, initially, most of the
abandonment in social care. Lockdown has impacted construction industry. Some sectors were better
on many people’s mental health and sense of prepared than others for working from home.
wellbeing. According to the ONS, only one in ten from
accommodation and food services have worked from
DEMOCRACY AND CRIMINAL JUSTICE home vs more than half (53%) of the information
The pandemic created a challenge for the and communications industry. This is, in part,
government in containing the spread of the virus underpinned by technological investment in the
while protecting the economy and upholding public sectors: the information and communication industry
freedoms. Many respondents were critical of the
government’s handling of the crisis and many said its 2 Practical Law Employment, COVID-19 (Coronavirus and
performance had undermined public trust. employment law). Thomson Reuters: Practical Law, 2020. Available at:
https://uk.practicallaw.thomsonreuters.com/w-024-4260?transition-
Type=Default&contextData=(sc.Default)&firstPage=true&bhcp=1#-
co_anchor_a439921 [accessed 12/08/2020]
10 11invested £9,196 per employed worker compared third had gone without essentials due to a change in Insurance contributions and employer minimum same time as working?
with £272 in the accommodation and food income.8 As the self-employed are a heterogeneous automatic enrolment contributions.”13
services industry.3 Furthermore, in roughly 60% of group - from the deliveroo driver to the law partner 3. How easy or difficult they have found working
occupations, the place of work is fixed (such as for a - there have been starkly different experiences for Nonetheless, significant numbers have continued to from home?
sales assistant) or requires specialist equipment (such people who are self-employed, for example, those work from home during the crisis. According to the
ONS, only three out of five workers said that they 4. Please tell us about any challenges or
as for a laboratory technician or bus driver) so it is with incomes between £40,000 to £49,999 a year opportunities coming out of the pandemic you’re
less practically possible to work from home.4 were twice as likely (48%) to claim as those with worked from home in April 2020 because of the
coronavirus pandemic.14 Further, McKinsey estimates facing relating to jobs and work.You can say as
incomes less than £10,000 (24%). much or as little as you like.
These changes have created one of the sharpest “that only around 20 percent of the working-
divides in our labour market: between remote The Chancellor has boosted sick pay to a slightly age population (or 40% of those at work and not For questions about our working lives, we
workers and non-remote workers. Those who are higher rate and made it available on day one of furloughed) are currently working remotely.”15 achieved responses to some of all of the questions
able to work remotely are far more likely to stay in sickness to ensure that people who need to self- from 7741out of the overall 11,689 people who
employment and far less likely to catch the virus. isolate with the virus or someone in the household For those who are working from home, their
working lives have radically changed. For some, completed the survey. In this section, percentages
Those who are not able to work remotely are who has symptoms are able to do so.9 The will therefore refer to the number of people
often key workers, unable to work from home, and Government has also launched a digital skills toolkit the ability to work from home has helped us cope
with the pandemic, with “slightly more than half proportionally in this sample that responded to the
therefore more at risk from catching the virus. They for those on furlough to learn digital and numeracy question in the section, rather than overall.
are also workers in sectors that have totally shut skills.10 (51%) of people aged 16 to 64 years who were in
down, resulting in large-scale job loss. As a result, employment used work as a means of coping while Out of our sample, respondents said that had the
the crisis has been dubbed a “sectoral” one, where It is difficult to assess the success of these schemes staying at home in April.”16 following working conditions:20
some sectors have crashed whilst others have been - in part because the architecture behind the
furlough scheme and bonus for employers to keep Fewer people - almost 20% - have found it difficult. • Just under two-thirds (63%) said that they had
able to stay afloat. Indeed, some are having to juggle childcare, that
them until January 2021 is to keep employers worked from home during the crisis
Radical changes have been met by significant and employees together, rather than employers has encompassed their children’s education, and
government support to employers and to workers. making them redundant so time will tell as to work.17 It seems that many might also be working • Almost one fifth (19%) said that they were key
The Job Retention Scheme is considered one of the whether these relationships stick once the financial longer hours, finding it difficult to switch off between workers
most radical policies in centuries, providing support support is lifted.11 There has been no obligation work and home without the commute. On average,
employees working from home in the UK are • 16% said that they had continued to work in their
to over 9 million employees and costing £22.9bn so for employers to furlough individuals and not normal place of work
far.5 Of these, 40% of all furloughed employees are make them redundant; some have already been spending an extra two hours working per day.18 In
from hospitality and retail.6 A similar scheme has made redundant or expect to be once the furlough addition, some are also missing the social aspects of • 15% said that they had been furloughed
been drawn up for the self-employed - the Self- scheme is over. Predictions suggest that the jobs worklife and contact with their colleagues.19
Employment Income Support Scheme (SEISS), that most at risk are those who earn less, are BAME, and • A further 25% said that they had been taking
WHAT YOU TOLD US ABOUT JOBS AND care of children at the same time as working
has thus far supported 2.9 million. This equates to older or younger.12 Other measures included in the EMPLOYMENT
over half of the self-employed workforce, but it is Chancellor’s Plan for Jobs, have included a £2billion
In response to whether people had found it easy or
possible that some are still missing out.7 Kickstarter scheme that offers financial support to The open access survey asked questions about the difficult to work from home, we found that:
employers who hire people who are aged 16-24, impact of the pandemic on jobs and employment.
Despite support, the impacts on the self-employed on Universal Credit and are deemed to be at risk of The questions were: • Over three quarters of (78%) of respondents had
have in places been acute. In a survey with the long-term unemployment. This funding will “cover found it easy to work from home, while a fifth
self-employed by the LSE, three quarters reported 100% of the relevant National Minimum Wage for 25 1. Which of the following describes your working (22%) said that they had found it difficult.
“that they have had less work in April 2020 than they hours a week, plus the associated employer National situation?
would usually have at that time of year” and over a • The groups most likely to have found it difficult
2. Do you look after school age children at the
3 ONS, Technology intensity and homeworking in the UK. Available at: https://www.ons.gov.uk/employmentandlabourmarket/peoplein-
work/employmentandemployeetypes/articles/technologyintensityandhomeworkingintheuk/2020-05-01 [accessed 12/08/2020] 13 HM Treasury, A Plan For Jobs 2020. Available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/a-plan-for-jobs-documents/a-plan-for-
4 ONS, Technology intensity and homeworking in the UK. Available at: https://www.ons.gov.uk/employmentandlabourmarket/peoplein- jobs-2020 [accessed 13/08/2020]
work/employmentandemployeetypes/articles/technologyintensityandhomeworkingintheuk/2020-05-01 [accessed 12/08/2020] 14 ONS, Coronavirus and social impacts on the countries and regions of Britain: April 2020. Available at: https://www.ons.gov.uk/people-
5 GOV.UK, HMRC Coronavirus Statistics. Available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/hmrc-coronavirus-covid-19-statistics populationandcommunity/healthandsocialcare/healthandwellbeing/bulletins/coronavirusandthesocialimpactsonthecountriesandregionsofbritain/
[accessed 13/08/2020] april2020 [accessed 13/08/2020]
6 Lasko-Skinner, R. Sector-picking: The role of online learning in transforming the labour market. Demos, 2020. Available at: https:// 15 Allas, T., Canal, M. and Hunt, V. COVID-19 in the United Kingdom: Assessing jobs at risk and the impact on people and places. McK-
demos.co.uk/blog/sector-picking-the-role-of-online-learning-in-transforming-the-labour-market/ insey & Company, 2020. Available at: https://www.mckinsey.com/industries/public-sector/our-insights/covid-19-in-the-united-kingdom-assessing-
7 GOV.UK, HMRC Coronavirus Statistics: Self-Employment Income Support Scheme. Available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/col- jobs-at-risk-and-the-impact-on-people-and-places [accessed 13/08/2020]
lections/hmrc-coronavirus-covid-19-statistics#self-employment-income-support-scheme [accessed 13/08/2020] 16 ONS, Coronavirus and social impacts on the countries and regions of Britain: April 2020. Available at: https://www.ons.gov.uk/people-
8 Blundell, J and Machin S. Five million self-employed in the UK have been hit hard by the pandemic. LSE, 2020. Available at: https:// populationandcommunity/healthandsocialcare/healthandwellbeing/bulletins/coronavirusandthesocialimpactsonthecountriesandregionsofbritain/
blogs.lse.ac.uk/covid19/2020/06/01/5-million-self-employed-in-the-uk-have-been-hit-hard-by-the-pandemic/ [accessed 13/08/2020] april2020
9 Thomson Reuters Practical Law, COVID-19 (Coronavirus) and employment law: Is a worker who is in self-isolation entitled to resched- 17 ibid.
ule holiday? Thomson Reuters: Practical Law, 2020. Available at: https://uk.practicallaw.thomsonreuters.com/w-024-4260?transitionType=De- 18 Davis, M and Green, J. Three Hours Longer, the Pandemic Workday Has Obliterated Work-Life Balance. Bloomberg, 2020. Available
fault&contextData=(sc.Default)&firstPage=true&bhcp=1#co_anchor_a145356 [accessed 13/08/2020] at: https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-04-23/working-from-home-in-covid-era-means-three-more-hours-on-the-job [accessed
10 Lasko-Skinner, R. Sector-picking: The role of online learning in transforming the labour market. Demos, 2020. Available at: https:// 13/08/2020]
demos.co.uk/blog/sector-picking-the-role-of-online-learning-in-transforming-the-labour-market/ 19 Petty, S. UK employees miss office banter and adult conversations as working from home becomes the norm. FE News, 2020. Avail-
11 HM Treasury. A Plan For Jobs 2020. Available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/a-plan-for-jobs-documents/a-plan-for- able at: https://www.fenews.co.uk/press-releases/44684-uk-employees-miss-office-banter-and-adult-conversations-as-working-from-home-be-
jobs-2020 [accessed 13/08/2020] comes-the-norm [accessed 13/08/2020]
12 Allas, T., Canal, M. and Hunt, V. COVID-19 in the United Kingdom: Assessing jobs at risk and the impact on people and places. McK- 20 Please note respondents were invited to pick more than one working condition, percentages therefore reflect the number of people
insey & Company, 2020. Available at: https://www.mckinsey.com/industries/public-sector/our-insights/covid-19-in-the-united-kingdom-assessing- who have experienced that particular working condition during the crisis. Percentages do not reflect the number of people working in one con-
jobs-at-risk-and-the-impact-on-people-and-places [accessed 13/08/2020] dition relative to another.
12 13to work from home were those who were looking of home working had given them a new perspective are unlikely to return to doing this significantly Some jobs can be done from home and some
after children and those who were students. of working from home and enabled - or for some before we retire over the next couple of years. people enjoy this. We need to stop shoving the
Around a third of people in both groups said pushed - them into making working from home work It has given us much more time home together, new normal way of working down everyone’s
they were finding it difficult. for them. Many respondents recognised that being which we value.” throats. It doesn’t work for everyone!”
outside the office itself had enabled them to better
• Those on lower incomes were also more likely concentrate and focus on the work at hand rather Woman, 50s, East of England Woman, 40s, London
to find it difficult, with 29% of those households than get stressed or distracted.
earning £20,000 or under finding it difficult to A number of responses to the question about what “Working from home is another thing that is
work from home, compared with 21% of those “At the start I did find it hard to be motivated had changed their minds wrote about the time saved different according to how rich and how poor
households earning over £50,000. and to separate my work life and my home life through not commuting to work. you are. For some people they can slip away
whilst being at home all the time. Previously to their study. For me it means I now sit on the
• Men were somewhat more likely to have found it “My pre-covid19 work/life balance was awful. sofa 16 hours a day as there is nowhere else
when away from the office I just forgot it I live 20 minutes away from my workplace but
easy, 82% of men said that they had found it easy existed so that I can enjoy my home life without in a small flat to work. It is uncomfortable, not
or fairly easy in comparison to 76% of women. the commute each day takes up to an hour due like sitting at a desk and my hands and arms
worrying about work. But now I feel like the to traffic. Working from home for 10 weeks has
relieved stress of not working in office means sometimes hurt.
• Older people were more likely to have found it shown me that that commute seriously impacts
easy to work from home than younger people, that I do not think of my job as something I my family life: I leave work at about 530pm and I miss the office banter, working from home
85% of people aged over 50 said they were need to get away from, but I am viewing it as arrive home at 630pm cooking tea and sorting when you live on your own and in lockdown
finding it easy or fairly easy to work from home, something I can develop. out means I never have time for my children” is very isolating. It is all email and not much
compared with around three-quarters of those I have also noticed that being self motivated and conversation, or if it is - it’s a meeting that is
aged under 40. Woman, 40s, Yorkshire & Humberside much more painful to do over zoom or skype or
not having an office that is constantly monitoring
me, has meant that I have become more “I was spending too much time commuting whatever.”
We asked respondents to tell us about any
challenges or opportunities they were facing as a invested in my role. I am now trying to do what and not enough time with family. Life is short. Woman, 60s, London
result of the pandemic relating to jobs and work. I can to help others in my team more and also Community is important. Working from home is
Their responses centred on the issues of working login in on the weekends if I feel like it would possible.I want to be more involved in my son’s Consistent with the closed answers to the survey,
from home, work-life balance, and longer term what give me a good head start for the next week.” education.It’s important to stop and take time for parents who were trying to work at home while
respondents wanted - or thought was fair - from our yourself.” taking care of their children were often finding
Woman, 20s, East Midlands working from home particularly difficult. This resulted
working lives as a society. As well as writing about Woman, 30s, South East England
changes to their jobs in the designated section Some respondents also explained their increase from having to juggle childcare with their work
of the survey, respondents also referred to their in productivity with reference to improved Others , particularly some key-workers, felt that the responsibilities, with many feeling they were letting
working lives in their responses to the question ‘Is opportunities for flexible working and a better work increased use of technology had also helped boost either their work or their children down. Those
there anything you feel you have learned or changed life balance. Many said that having more time with their productivity. without office space said they had found it very
your mind about as a result of this crisis?’ These are their families without a commute had transformed difficult to find a place where they could concentrate
included here. their lives, making their lives easier and less stressful. “The increased use of appropriate technology away from the children, who were often not able to
This had in turn enabled them to work better and and reduction of bureaucracy would be very understand why their parents were working.
We looked at the experiences of different groups, more productively. This was also a very common beneficial - it’s amazing what has been achieved
namely those who were working from home, those in this crisis.” “I previously worked from home 1 day a week
theme in responses to the survey question ‘Is there and office 4 days a week while the children were
who were working as key workers and those who anything you feel you have learned or changed your
were furloughed. This revealed a stark picture of Woman, 60s, Wales at school. This worked well and I set up in my
mind about as a result of this crisis?’: many said that dining room as we don’t have any other suitable
how different types of working conditions have their work-life balance had moved in a more positive These feelings of better productivity and work-
changed under lockdown for different groups: workspace. Now that the children are here it is
direction. life balance were, however, not universal amongst incredibly difficult to concentrate on work for
while many have felt idle and bored, others have respondents. There was a common feeling amongst
been struggling to juggle being a key worker and “Working from home, even to manage a team any decent period of time. I have taken to my
other participants that working from home was bedroom to work but I have not got a proper
parent . Respondents commonly talked about a spread across their own homes, has been harder. For many this was because the physical
change in their productivity and their work-life fantastic. The team feels closer as individuals, set up and work with my laptop on the end of
space in their homes was uncomfortable or lacked my bed. I’m starting to develop an RSI and have
balance. We found that for those who had children productivity has increased, work-life balance is the resources they needed to do a good job. This
and were looking after them while working this had far better and if we could work like this forever made my employer aware.
was also underpinned by missing the atmosphere of
been particularly difficult. We also found that a lot (and if I can make it so we will) once the world being at work, the ‘office banter’ and being able to I feel very guilty trying to keep the children quiet
of respondents, particularly those that had been is back to normal then everybody in the team switch off when leaving the office. whilst I am on client calls, as they naturally are
furloughed, had come to new realisations about their would be happier.” making noise and want to talk to their parents.
work and what they wanted from their working lives. “I hate working from home. Mentally I work I have twins aged 6 and an 8 year old, so they
Man, 30s, North East England better from an office. my home is my place to
A common theme throughout responses was how need a lot of support to get through school
“My husband and I both travelled the world rest and switch off from work. I have now bought tasks on Google Classroom. We find it hard
working from home has impacted their productivity. my work into my home and it’s difficult to switch
Many respondents expressed surprise at how much extensively for work and this has stopped to navigate the online work and I often feel
completely. From a business point of view, off. Not only that, I don’t have the same setup. extremely stressed trying to juggle everything.
more efficiently they had been working, despite I sit on an uncomfortable chair and a makeshift
being outside the office and away from colleagues. using virtual communications instead, we can The children are not doing as much work as they
now question how necessary this all was and desk. My internet connection isn’t the best. should be and I feel I am letting them down. It’s
Respondents recognised that this extended period
14 15almost a daily choice between letting my boss “I’ve genuinely enjoyed and deeply appreciated Man, 60s, West Midlands “Our society is interconnected and needs an
down or letting the children down. I feel I/we the time and space to work on myself, learn equal foundation. We are reliant on everyone
cannot continue like this for much longer.” more about myself, and try and nail down some “I really miss my work - not just the money to do their job to the best of their ability and
more plans for the future. I would like to change but feeling fulfilled and like I was making a provide them with the equipment to do so. This
Woman, 40s, Scotland career, but I am holding on until the uncertainty difference” includes the NHS, but also means no more zero
For key-workers who said that they were working of covid is over (or until I lose my job and my Woman, 20, West Midlands hour contracts and removing the draconian “un-
from home, a common difficulty was finding it hand is forced).” skilled” mentality from our immigration policies.
difficult to switch-off, resulting in a poor work-life For many respondents, their perception of what The country is literally running on these people
Man, 30s, East of England constitutes valuable work had changed in the working, while the majority stay in lockdown.”
balance. Indeed, many found that their workload had
increased massively. This was then compounded by “I really don’t mind being furloughed and I don’t light of the coronavirus and the critical nature of
contributions from health workers, bus drivers and Woman, 30s, South East England
working on issues closely related to the pandemic miss work one bit. Hoping to stay furloughed til
which made it difficult to think about anything else or at least the end of the summer. I’m considering people who work in essential shops. Appreciation and recognition of the value of workers
to rest. mentioning to my employer that he should “I am also depressed to discover that for many classified as low skilled was therefore one of the
consider me for redundancy. I’ve been thinking people it has taken this sort of crisis to realise changes that many respondents wished to continue
“...my work is directly related to the current about changing jobs for the past few years, so, beyond the lifetime of the pandemic.
crisis and the volume of activity has increased the jobs that really matter. No one will ever
even though there will be less job opportunities stand there and clap for a hedge fund manager
massively. I’ve basically done the equivalent of a in the near future, now would be a good time to
year’s work in 10 weeks. I’m exhausted and feel or a futures and options trader - who get paid
move on.” ridiculous sums of money to sell bits of paper
that I’m failing at family life as well as at work.
[...] The nature of my role means that I’m dealing Man, 50s, North West England that are essentially a gamble on the future. ”
with c19 issues all day every day and it has made Woman, 60s, London
it difficult to switch off..” “Covid has made me reassess my job. Covid
strips everything back. I was staying in my “[there is a] need for a total government rethink
Woman, 30s, London job because I wanted stability and enhanced around status and pay and conditions for the
maternity pay whilst starting a family. There’s nursing and caring professions.
Further, many respondents were struggling with been fertility difficulties and five years on I’m still
trying to do more of their work online. From teachers in the same job because of it. I have a lengthy This pandemic has really highlighted which
to social workers to funeral directors, respondents train commute and covid makes me nervous members of society are the most valuable - ie
explained that trying to do elements of their very doing that train journey again. With covid I’m key workers generally - and that fact that on the
human-centred work was particularly difficult. not sure how stable my job is now anyway. So whole they are the least well paid with the least
“The challenge for me as a social worker has I’ve taken the brave step and applied for a new social status. There needs to be a real shake up.
been to do the job using social media such as job, closer to home.” A society where a footballer is paid more per
Skype, Zoom etc. It means restrictions on how I day than a nurse or shop worker is per year is
Woman, 30s, Yorkshire & Humberside not acceptable.”
communicate with people - there’s so much we
gain from face to face contact that I’m missing For many other respondents on furlough, their Woman. 60s, South West England
and that impacts on the work being done.” time had been stressful and unpleasant. Many have
been plagued by the stress of uncertainty if they For many, lockdown highlighted the importance of
Woman, 60s, London will get their job back and how they will provide for key workers, such as those delivering health and
“Remote learning has been a challenge. There is themselves and their family in the future. This was social care, and working in sectors such as retail,
no way to engage our most vulnerable families. often compounded by boredom and feeling idle wholesale and transport. A greater appreciation of
Many have no broadband and no phones - in without work to keep them busy and feeling useful. their role was a very common theme in responses the
debt management these contracts are the the question
“There are no opportunities coming out of the
first things to go. We need free broadband pandemic for me. I work in aviation and my ‘Is there anything you feel you have learned or
universally. We need more funding to provide household income has been reduced by 70%. changed your mind about as a result of this crisis?’
the tech to families that don’t have it.” I fear that despite being on furlough, when this Respondents felt that key workers, many of whom
Woman, 40s, East of England government support ends I will likely be made are considered to be unskilled, are undervalued and
redundant due to contractions in my industry. underpaid. Concerns were also expressed at lack of
Many respondents were having new realisations protection from the virus for these workers.
about what they wanted from their work life. In “If this were to occur I consider it will be
particular, those respondents who were on furlough extremely unlikely that I will secure alternative “We need to recognise the value of front line
felt that the time off had enabled them to think employment due to my age and the large healthcare workers, carers, delivery drivers all
about what they wanted to do next in their career. number of other individuals being made those that kept the country going during the
These often entailed having a different type of job redundant by my industry. I have no experience crises because they were deemed key workers
or a shorter commute so that they could spend more in any other industry. This will put me at risk and pay them accordingly.”
time in their local community. of losing my home due to inability to pay my
mortgage.” Woman, 50s, East Midlands
16 17EDUCATION
students get through the lockdown process.25 comings.
IMPACT ON SCHOOL PUPILS Research conducted during lockdown confirms
the importance of socio-economic background in
The gap on mathematical and literary skills between opportunities to learn. Research carried out by the
children from low and higher income households Sutton Trust in April 2020 found that only 23% of
typically widens over the summer break.26 pupils were participating in daily live or recorded
Researchers expect that a similar gap in attainment online sessions. Pupils from working class families
will be found after students return to school. Indeed, were much less likely than their middle class
the Education Endowment Foundation has stated counterparts to have such opportunities, at 16%
that school closures are likely to reverse progress vs 30%.31 Private school students were found to be
On 18 March, for the first made to narrow the gap in the last decade.27 Their
research suggests that the estimated attainment gap
more than twice as likely as those at state schools to
time in the British history, could widen by up to 36%.28 This attainment gap
be accessing online lessons every day.
the government announced is likely to be a result of a combination of factors
such as access to technology, the homeschooling
A study conducted under lockdown found that nearly
two-thirds (64%) of secondary pupils in state schools
the nationwide shut-down of environment, and lack of necessary additional from the richest households are offered some form
schools. support. of active help by their parents, compared with 47%
from the poorest fifth of families.32 A survey by the
This meant that up to 8 million pupils in England Much education activity has moved online, although IFS and the Institute of Education of over 4,000
and their teachers were required to continue their some schools are reported to deliver worksheets to parents of children aged 4-15 found that the children
education in their homes.21 Vulnerable children pupils with little or no access to technology. On May from better-off families are spending 30% more
and young people and children of the key workers 12, YouGov asked more than 800 teachers about time on home learning than are those from poorer
were allowed to go to school.22 A national scheme the impact of the coronavirus. Almost half of the families.33
to support children on free school meals was also teachers (44%) said they know at least one pupil who
announced. has been unable to access education because of School closures have affected access to an important
issues with technology. Only 11% said that all of their source of nutritious food for some children.34 In
This pandemic also meant the cancellation of A pupils have been able to connect.29 England, about 1.3 million children claimed free
level and GCSE exams for summer 2020. This school meals in 2019, or about 15% of state-
year’s grades were intially awarded based on a To close the education gap, the government educated pupils.35 Schools have been expected
statistical model developed by Ofqual.23 However, announced that disadvantaged students who receive to continue supporting children eligible for free
after thousands of teacher-predicted grades were support from a social worker and care leavers across school meals who are at home. These have been
downgraded, protests throughout the education England would receive a free tablet or laptop delivered either in the form of meals or food parcels
community resulted in the reinstatement of teacher- computer and 4G based mobile devices.30 However, through the schools’ food provider or using the DfE’s
predicted grades unless those awarded by the we do not know how many of these devices are centrally funded national voucher scheme. As a result
algorithm were higher.24 distributed and anecdotal evidence indicates short-
Ofqual announced that exams for vocational schools
would continue as planned. Many UK education 25 GOV.uk, UK education providers are helping teachers, parents and students respond to the impact of COVID-19 worldwide. 2020.
providers prepared resources to help parents and Available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/uk-education-providers-are-helping-teachers-parents-and-students-respond-to-the-impact-
of-covid-19-worldwide [accessed 13/08/2020]
26 Van Lancker, W and Parolin, Z. COVID-19, school closures, and child poverty: a social crisis in the making. The Lancet, 2020. Available
at: https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanpub/article/PIIS2468-2667(20)30084-0/fulltext [accessed 13/08/2020]
27 Education Endowment Foundation. Rapid evidence assessment:
Impact of school closures on the attainment gap. 2020. Available at:
21 Adams, R and Stewart H. UK Schools to be closed https://educationendowmentfoundation.org.uk/public/files/REA_-_Impact_of_school_closures_on_the_attainment_gap_summary.pdf [accessed
indefinitely and exams cancelled. The Guardian, 2020. Available 13/08/2020]
at: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/mar/18/coronavi- 28 Education Endowment Foundation. Rapid evidence assessment. 2020.
rus-uk-schools-to-be-closed-indefinitely-and-exams-cancelled [ac- 29 Smith, M. At least 44% of teachers know pupils who can’t access education due to technology issues. YouGov, 2020. Available at:
cessed 13/08/2020] https://yougov.co.uk/topics/education/articles-reports/2020/05/12/at-least-44-teachers-know-pupils-who-cant-acc [accessed 13/08/2020]
22 Department for Education. Supporting vulnerable children 30 Jackson, M. COVID-19 – Free Laptops and 4G Broadband for Vulnerable Kids. ISP Review, 2020. Available at: https://www.ispreview.
and young people during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak co.uk/index.php/2020/04/covid-19-free-laptops-and-4g-broadband-for-vulnerable-kids.html [accessed 13/08/2020]
- actions for educational providers and other partners. Available 31 Cullinane, C and Montacute, R. COVID-19 and Social Mobility Impact Brief #1: School Shutdown. Sutton Trust, 2020. Available at:
at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-cov- https://www.suttontrust.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/COVID-19-Impact-Brief-School-Shutdown.pdf [accessed 13/08/2020]
id-19-guidance-on-vulnerable-children-and-young-people/coronavi- 32 Alison, A and others. Learning during the lockdown: real-time data on children’s experiences during home learning. IFS, 2020. Availa-
rus-covid-19-guidance-on-vulnerable-children-and-young-people ble at:
23 Whittaker, F. Coronavirus: An explainer on how GCSE and https://www.ifs.org.uk/uploads/Edited_Final-BN288%20Learning%20during%20the%20lockdown.pdf [accessed 13/08/2020]
A-level grades will be awarded this summer. FE Week, 2020. Availa- 33 Alison, A and others. Learning during the lockdown: real-time data on children’s experiences during home learning. IFS, 2020. Availa-
ble at: https://feweek.co.uk/2020/04/03/coronavirus-an-explainer-on- ble at:
how-gcse-and-a-level-grades-will-be-awarded-this-summer/ [accessed https://www.ifs.org.uk/uploads/Edited_Final-BN288%20Learning%20during%20the%20lockdown.pdf [accessed 13/08/2020]
13/08/2020] 34 Van Lancker, W and Parolin, Z. COVID-19, school closures, and child poverty: a social crisis in the making. The Lancet, 2020. Available
24 BBC. A-levels and GCSEs: U-turn as teacher estimates to at: https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanpub/article/PIIS2468-2667(20)30084-0/fulltext [accessed 13/08/2020]
be used for exam results. BBC, 2020. Available at: https://www.bbc. 35 Lawrie, E. Coronavirus: What’s happening to free school meals this summer? BBC, 2020. Available at: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/
co.uk/news/uk-53810655 [accessed 27/08/2020] explainers-53053337 [accessed 13/08/2020]
18 19of a successful campaign by the footballer Marcus people aged 25 and over to say the pandemic over a third of a year more schooling than state easy for teachers and students but only if all
Rashford, the voucher scheme was extended to has had a big effect on their studies. kids. Not a level playing field.” parties have functioning technology which is
cover the six week summer break.36 certainly not the case.”
• 73% of people responding to open-ended Woman, 50s, North West England
IMPACT ON HIGHER EDUCATION questions on education in our survey were Woman, 30s, London
female, indicating that the issue is of more A former teacher and school governor remarked
At the beginning of lockdown all universities moved salience to women. Out of 6022 female There was a more general and widespread concern
teaching online and many students went back to “It has become evident to me the huge by parents and others that school closures were
respondents, 31% said they were living with disconnect between the learning opportunities
their family homes. The pandemic’s impact will children under 18 years old. widening the attainment gap, as a result of
not be limited to the current academic year. Some offered by many of the state schools and the differential provision of online learning as well as
universities have announced that teaching during the We asked respondents to tell us about any daily quite intense routine of timetabled virtual inequalities in access. Parents of children with special
2020-21 year will also be online. Arrangements will challenges or opportunities they were facing as lessons offered in the Independent schools.” needs felt that provision had been especially poor:
vary by institution but Cambridge’s vice-chancellor, a result of the pandemic relating to their own Woman, 70+ East of England some children with special needs were having more
announced that its Institute of Continuing Education education or that of their children. difficulty learning online and that there was very little
for adults would offer all its 2020-21 undergraduate Some respondents suggested the Government and tailored support for their learning during lockdown.
teaching online, with no residential requirement.37 The most common themes related to experiences of agencies such as Ofsted should have provided a
online teaching and learning from schools, parents’ stronger steer. “My daughter (aged 11) has a mild visual
WHAT YOU TOLD US ABOUT EDUCATION involvement in home-schooling and, for parents of impairment so written online lessons can be
older children, exams. Transition from primary to “I think there has been real inconsistencies exhausting for her. We have worked with the
The open access survey asked questions about the secondary education and to university was also a between what schools have offered for homes school (which is private) to address her needs
impact of the pandemic on respondents’ children’s recurring theme. learning and in approach. Should have been and they have been fantastic. More “live”
education and their own education. The questions more government set standards provided to lessons have helped. She still gets very anxious
were: In terms of school provision, participants were aware schools for them to follow and adhere to.” that she’s not doing what she is supposed to -
of wide variation in the extent to which schools were but also can be easily distracted and wander off
1. In general, how much of an impact do you think delivering online learning during lockdown. They Man, 40s, South East England
the pandemic and lockdown has had on your to YouTube if she doesn’t understand a lesson.
also commented on perceived variations in quality. This has been super stressful”
child or children’s education? Some parents said that schools were relying on “Some schools have done an excellent job
worksheets to be completed by pupils, instead of in supporting the learning but this is very Woman, 40s, London
2. How much of an impact do you think the inconsistent (feel OFSTED could have taken
pandemic and lockdown has had on your direct teaching.
a much more proactive role in this both At the same time, many respondents commented
studies? “I don’t think the school has done enough to in assessing and rating and in coaching that teachers are doing a great job in very difficult
For questions about the education section, 2480 make the lessons engaging online. There are lots and supporting). An ill judged and missed circumstances. Some respondents also felt that
people answered the first question and 307 of worksheets and questions, but no interaction. opportunity! Other schools have been v poor teachers had been unfairly criticised for being
answered the second. In this section, percentages As a result we’ve taken days off homeschooling - little or no direct teaching, reams of non reluctant to return to school in June.
will therefore refer to the number of people to give our son a break from the classes that he differentiated worksheets - or nothing at all.“
finds boring and frustrating.” Despite the challenges involved, It was clear that
proportionally in this sample that responded to the Woman, 60s, East Midlands many parents who responded to our survey valued
question in the section, rather than overall. Woman, 30s, London the opportunity to deliver home learning to their
Some respondents, including teachers, reflected children.
Our analysis of responses to these questions found: Parents also regretted the lack of enrichment on the benefits and also disadvantages of moving
• More than 75% of respondents to our survey said activities during lockdown, such as drama and art. teaching online. Concerns focused on differential “It’s been lovely having the opportunity to spend
the pandemic and lockdown had a moderate or The curriculum was reported to have become very access of children and young people to PCs and more time with my children and take more of an
big impact on their child or children’s education. focused on a narrow range of academic subjects. laptops and to reliable broadband. A teacher in the interest in their learning (helping and teaching
FE sector summed up some of these concerns. rather than just asking how school was at end of
• Almost half of the respondents to our survey Parents were also aware of a substantial difference day).”
(45%) said the pandemic and lockdown had a big in approach between state and private schools, with “I have found that it is very effective to deliver
impact on their child or children’s education with the latter often delivering a full academic curriculum certain subjects online - even an arts discipline- Woman, 40s, Scotland
Impact felt across income groups. and even enrichment activities. more than I thought possible. However I do
not think that online education alone is the way Many found the most successful approaches have
• 307 participants in our survey were students, “I have a 16 year old who missed sitting his forward - it certainly opens the doors for those involved combining school resources with ones they
almost half of whom said the pandemic and GCSE’s who has been given the very odd piece who may not be able to attend institutions due design themselves. It was also apparent that some
lockdown had a big impact on their studies. of work from school to complete - so basically to proximity, but the interaction is not the same families have put a lot of effort into home learning
he’s on holiday until September when he goes and students seem less confident and open to with enrichment activities and play-based learning
• Women, disabled people and young people back to start A levels. Private school kids it’s discourse online whether it be through a typed for younger children.
aged 18-24 were much more likely than men or been business as usual so they will have had chat or through video. One respondent, herself a teacher described
36 Syal, R. Stewart, H and Pidd, H. Johnson makes U-turn on free school meals after Rashford campaign. The Guardian, 2020. Available Also it has brought to light the great “My 3 year old had been attending nursery
at: https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2020/jun/16/boris-johnson-faces-tory-rebellion-over-marcus-rashfords-school-meals-call [accessed disadvantage that students who live in very three days a week which closed at lockdown.
13/08/2020]
37 Cambridge cancels face-to-face lectures until 2021. Financial Times, 2020. Available at: https://www.ft.com/content/65a1feb8-2eb6-
crowded households or who do not own I was able to spend lots of time with him at
44c3-815c-e05dfe9e1193 [accessed 13/08/2020] computers have. Moving some work online is
20 21You can also read
